Address by CEC to the General Council of LAHDC Leh – 19th Sept. 2011

Hon’ble members of the House and heads of departments.

I would like to avail this opportunity to draw your attention to an extremely important matter, i.e., ‘Ladakh 2025’ (the Vision for the future of Leh District) and share with you an outline of the Action Plan for its implementation emerging out of deliberations carried out by LAHDC Leh in past few months.

As we all know, formulation of a Vision document in 2005 was an important milestone in the history of Development in our District. I would, therefore, like to start by reminding us the key provisions of this document. ‘Ladakh 2025’ envisions the emergence of Ladakh in next 10 to 15 years as ‘the best model of Hill Area Development and an ideal society with attributes like economic self – reliance, full employment, quality of life, equity and social justice, peace and freedom, respect for universal human values’. Under Economy, people of Ladakh envisage a central role for land based activities and adherence to the principle of self – reliance through a blend of traditional practices and modern scientific know – how. At the same time, other sectors of economy will be explored and utilized to optimum levels. Under ‘New Economy’, priority will be given to put Ladakh on the Industrial Map of the Nation through tapping local resources (including arts and crafts) and by promoting entrepreneurship, enabling the use of I.T. for employment generation and scaling up tourism to benefit more people, particularly in rural areas. However, conservation of the fragile eco – system, preservation of cultural values and equitable distribution of resources as well as benefits of Development will be primary considerations in our endeavor for economic development. Whereas Leh Town and Block HQs will be provided with modern civic amenities, efforts will be made to make the Village a happy place to live, with availability of all basic facilities. While water resources will be well preserved and judiciously used, reliable and affordable power supply will be assured with particular focus on use of renewable sources. On Education, ‘Ladakh 2025’ aims at building the human resource in every child to full potential while inculcating moral values and enabling them for harmonious use of our natural resources with proper guidance from our cultural resources. It also envisages a holistic Heath scenario encompassing physical, mental, social and ecological well – being. It envisages for Ladakh a society firmly upholding its core social and cultural values and preserving its heritage, monuments, arts, crafts. On Planning and Governance, the existing processes and mechanisms will be enabled to match the spirit of Panchayati Raj through promoting Micro Level Planning and strengthening democratic governance structures at village and block levels. In short, economic development will be pursued with due consideration to social networks, the ‘new economy’ will be spearheaded by I.T. and the social infrastructure will be based on principles of equity and participatory governance.

‘Ladakh 2025’ spells out our aspirations for the future in reasonably clear terms. However, it also cautions us that ‘a vision is only as effective as the action that it is backed up with - else it remains a statement of intent’! It provides us with a direction and demands action – and act we must! The Vision Document also reminds us that ‘action alone, however, is not enough – it must be coordinated. All initiative must be designed to complement each other and at no cost must any duplication or, worse still, contradiction between various Development actors be allowed to occur. Convergence, therefore, is the need of the hour’.

I acknowledge that various Development agencies have taken several measures towards goals set by ‘Ladakh 2025’. However, we also realize that we are yet to make a real coordinated effort in this direction. LAHDC Leh has, therefore, resolved to undertake a strategy development process aimed at evolving a roadmap for effective implementation of Development plans and programs towards the realization of ‘Ladakh 2025’. The primary focus of this strategization process will be on the ‘District Plan’ and the 12^th FYP (2012-17). In this regard, a preliminary round of exercises has already been done by LAHDC Leh (with the help of TISS). These exercises involved (a) an analysis of sectoral programs and plan outlays under the ‘District Plan’, (b) one round of sharing and discussion with councilors and then with HODs, and (c) development of narratives (draft 1) by various departments (using prescribed format) providing an analysis of existing programs and an indication to proposed plans and strategies for next 5 years in order to help realize sectoral and overall goals spelt out by ‘Ladakh 2025’.

LAHDC Leh intends to take forward this process so that 12^th FYP becomes a period which would be remembered for convergence of efforts (by our govt. departments, councilors, Panchayats and CSOs) leading to a quantum jump in achieving the goals as well as upholding the principles and values of ‘Ladakh 2025’. I would, therefore, urge all of us to make the best use of the time available (between September 2011 and March 2012 so as to evolve a framework which would help us determine our strategic objectives and activities (under the District Plan, Centrally Sponsored Schemes and other programs) during the 12^th FYP. A ‘workplan’ for the period between now and March 2011, therefore, needs to be worked out through a consultation process. In our deliberations at LAHDC held so far, the following 4 key steps have been suggested:

1. At LAHDC level (Sept. 2011): Laying down a ‘provisional outlay’ for 12^th FYP (under the ‘District Plan’ alongwith linkages with CSSs and other programs) for each sector specifying a financial framework, relevant ‘policy’ guidelines and strategic choices in order for the sector/ department concerned to initiate a strategy development process. In this context, LAHDC Leh will arrange for capacity building on themes like strategy development, project design and proposal development through resource persons from reputed institutions.

2. At departmental level (Oct. and Nov. 2011): Developing (or improving upon existing) ‘Narratives’ by each department through consultation meetings in ‘Thematic Groups’ (atleast 2 rounds – one with local stakeholders and one with experts from outside). The ‘Thematic Groups’ are proposed to be led by the Hon’ble Executive Councilor concerned, with appropriate representation by other councilors, CSOs, PRIs, subject experts, etc. During the process, departments may carry out review meetings, short term research work, participatory exercises and information gathering in order to gain perspectives and ideas from the cross – section of our society and enrich their narratives in terms of their relevance and effectiveness. For this purpose, the departments will have a budget allocation in the District Plan of 2011 – 12.

3. At LAHDC level (Nov. and Dec. 2011): Approval of strategic objectives and activities for 12^th FYP under each sector / department (based on departmental ‘narratives’), development of a Perspective Plan for 12^th FYP, negotiations on strategic priorities (and resources availability) with the State Govt. and Planning Commission and finalization of the ‘provisional outlay’ under each sector / department.

4. At departmental level (Jan to March 2012): Bringing necessary changes in departmental plans (if required), preparation and approval of detailed proposals under each sector /department and developing mechanisms for their implementation from April 2012 onwards.

I appeal all departments to gear themselves up, mobilize the human resources at their disposal, be open to work in team situations, get views and perspectives of various actors, and help LAHDC Leh in fulfilling this important and challenging task. We are going through changing times. The fast pace of development is obviously benefiting us economically but it is also posing serious challenges to our cultural ethos. Unfortunately, the menace of corruption is threatening the very fabric of our society. I urge everyone to consider during our strategy development process all options for promoting attributes like integrity, cooperation, transparency, accountability, sense of responsibility, punctuality, farsightedness, pro-activeness and commitment to collective good. I am confident that all stakeholders in the development of Ladakh will work in excellent team spirit so that we could effectively link our existing plans and programs with the aims and ideals of ‘Ladakh 2025’ and make significant progress in realizing the vision for our future in a collaborative environment. I will soon be communicating to you so that we could finalize the ‘workplans’ for the next 6 months and get started.

Thank you!